Guide to the 2012 Annual Meeting: Collaborating to Conquer Cancer

Apr 19, 2012

 
 

Oncology professionals who want to be the first to hear about practice-changing research still have time to register to attend the 2012 ASCO Annual Meeting, June 1–5 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Join us for presentations on state-of-the-art science, take advantage of the latest technology to get more out of your Meeting attendance, and network with colleagues from around the world.

 

Scientific Program

 

May 16, 6:00 PM EDT—Abstracts released online

Attendees will continue to find the sophisticated scientific presentations that they have come to expect from the ASCO Annual Meeting. A record 5,260 abstracts were submitted this year, with nearly 3,000 selected for presentation either in Oral Abstract Sessions, Clinical Science Symposia, or Poster Presentation Sessions—a testament to the robustness of clinical cancer research and the exciting advances occurring in laboratories and practices around the world. (Approximately 2,000 abstracts were selected by ASCO for publication, which will not be presented during the Meeting.)
 

Find the latestinformation on theASCO Annual Meeting,register to attend, andbook accommodations at chicago2012.asco.org.

“This has been a banner year for abstracts, with a 10% increase in submissions over previous years,” said Ronald Levy, MD, of Stanford University School of Medicine and Chair of the Scientific Program Committee (responsible for selecting abstracts for presentation and developing the Meeting’s Scientific Sessions—see “Life of an Abstract”). “This is a reflection of the speed at which the field is moving and the excitement about the many new drugs and new pathways in cancer causation and cancer prevention. There’s a lot of interdisciplinary work between the discoveries that are made and the treatments that are designed around them.”

The interdisciplinary nature of the studies that attendees will learn about in the Scientific Sessions harks back to the overall theme of the Meeting selected by 2011–2012 ASCO President Michael P. Link, MD: “Collaborating to Conquer Cancer.”

The development of the Scientific Program “is an enterprise which involves a lot of constituencies” and considers many audiences, “from those who make discoveries in the lab, to those who test them in the clinic, to those who modify their practice based on what they learn in the Meeting,” Dr. Levy said.

The highlight of the Scientific Program, and some might say of the Annual Meeting, is the Plenary Session, in which the most clinically significant abstracts are presented and discussed. “Plenary abstracts are chosen from nominations made from the tracks and then debated by the committee. There were a lot of very passionate presentations made this year—it’s wonderful to hear the advocacy and the excitement,” Dr. Levy said.

This year’s Plenary Session will take place on Sunday, June 3, at 1:00 PM–4:00 PM, and will include, among other topics, two abstracts related to optimal timing of chemotherapy for brain tumors and an international, multicenter prostate cancer study. “The practice-changing results are going to be very exciting to hear,” Dr. Levy said.

New this year: Plenary Session simulcast, Q&A. ASCO is always striving to better serve the needs of the busy oncology professional. Even if you’re attending a session in McCormick Place’s East Building on Sunday, you can catch every minute of the much-anticipated science discussed in this year’s Plenary Session without having to jog across the Sky Bridge. Attendees will be able to watch the Plenary Session in its primary location (North Building, Hall B1) or attend the live Plenary Session simulcast in the East Building, Hall D1 (where there are several food and beverage options available). We invite you to join the session at whichever location works best with your busy schedule.

One Plenary Session abstract will be selected for a question-and-answer forum following the session in ASCO’s new Post-Plenary Discussion. Plan to participate to learn more about the immediate clinical implications of the practice-changing science at 4:45 PM in Room S100a. The new session will give attendees an opportunity to further explore the results of the abstract.

“It’s difficult for people in the audience to ask questions during the Plenary Session, as it’s so widely attended. The new Post-Plenary Discussion will allow for more in-depth audience interaction,” explained Dr. Levy. “The abstract presenter, discussant, and moderator will field questions on the clinical implications of the study and facilitate the discussion.”

Clinical Science Symposia


Clinical Science Symposia are offered throughout the Annual Meeting and provide a forum for science in oncology, combining the presentation of selected abstracts on a specific topic with didactic lectures by expert faculty. Speakers place the studies in the appropriate context based on the strength of the evidence and critically discuss the conclusions in terms of their applicability to clinical practice.

These sessions “are a combination of the Educational Program and the Scientific Program, with the themes put in place by the Cancer Education Committee and populated with high-quality abstracts selected by the Scientific Program Committee. We have some very interesting Clinical Science Symposia this year, particularly one on harnessing the immune system to treat cancer,” Dr. Levy said.

In addition to “Immune Checkpoint Strategies,” which will examine immunotherapy approaches in various disease sites, a genitourinary session on hormone therapy for prostate cancer promises to be thought provoking. Several abstracts being presented in the context of Clinical Science Symposia were initially considered for presentation in the Plenary Session.

Check the Annual Meeting Program online for details about this year’s Clinical Science Symposia (track listed in parentheses):

  • Targeting Therapeutics for Thyroid Cancers (Head and Neck Cancer)
  • Emerging New Targets and New Drugs in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (Lung Cancer)
  • Anti-Angiogenic Therapy In Brain Tumors: How Can We Resist? (Central Nervous System Tumors)
  • Immune Checkpoint Strategies (Developmental Therapeutics)
  • Staying Bold while Old (Patient and Survivor Care)
  • Mutation Analysis for Cancer Diagnosis and Targeted Therapy (Gynecologic Cancer)
  • Optimizing Delivery of High-Quality Cancer Care (Health Services Research)
  • New Paradigms for Hormone Therapy in Prostate Cancer (Genitourinary Cancer)
  • Cancer: Getting on Your Nerves (Patient and Survivor Care)
  • New Discoveries and Treatments for CNS Tumors (Pediatric Oncology)
  • Diabetes and Cancer (Cancer Prevention/Epidemiology)
  • Mutated Melanoma: The Role for MEK Inhibitors (Melanoma/Skin Cancers)
  • HER2- or ER-Positive Breast Cancer: Exploiting Dysfunction in the PI3K Pathway (Breast Cancer)
  • Immunotherapy for Myeloma (Lymphoma and Plasma Cell Disorders)

Trials in Progress Posters. ASCO continues to highlight open, ongoing cancer clinical trials with Trials in Progress posters. This year, the presentations will be integrated into the General Poster Sessions of the appropriate track. Trials in Progress posters will be presented at the end of the sessions—look for the “TPS” designation preceding the abstract number.
 

The 2011 abstracts received nearly 1 million page views in the weeks surrounding the Annual Meeting.

New this year: Daily delivery of Newly Released Abstracts. Please note this important change regarding abstract distribution, designed to ensure simultaneous public release of important scientific information. Plenary, Clinical Review, and Late-Breaking Abstracts will be released publicly online on ASCO.org at 12:01 AM (EDT) on the day of their presentation. As a convenience to attendees, print versions of these Newly Released Abstracts will be available on a daily basis in Section D of ASCO Daily News, the official daily news source of the Annual Meeting, in bins throughout the Convention Center, in place of the Annual Meeting Proceedings Part II booklet. In addition, the Newly Released Abstracts will post online each day as an enhanced PDF (chicago2012.asco.org/dn). For more information, visit chicago2012.asco.org.

The abstracts published in the 2012 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings Part I, as well as those published online but not presented, will be publicly released on ASCO.org on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at 6:00 PM (EDT).
 

The ASCO Daily News homepage received nearly 20,000page views in the weeksfollowing the 2011 AnnualMeeting.

ASCO Daily News. ASCO Daily News has made several changes to help meet the needs of busy oncologists who are onsite at the Annual Meeting and of those offsite who still want to stay abreast of unfolding news. Readers will find more information in a greater variety of formats, and more instantaneous coverage of a wider array of topics—from logistical information to editorials by renowned experts, to coverage of scientific research as it is presented.

Look for the Preview issue, available at Registration and in bins throughout McCormick Place, for logistical information such as Meeting navigation tips, shuttle schedules, onsite resources, and guides to Chicago dining and attractions. The Preview issue also features interviews with, resources for, and sessions of interest to surgical and radiation oncologists, fellows, and physician assistants.

In addition to live coverage of the Meeting’s scientific presentations, readers will find numerous Expert Editorials authored by prominent oncologists across specialties and from multiple countries on timely topics such as cancer screening, survivorship issues, health disparities, genetic counseling, cost of care, and insurance coverage for clinical trials.

“Discuss the Science” Forum. During and after the Meeting, go online to discuss the science covered in ASCO Daily News in the ASCO Daily News Forum on ASCOconnection.org, the Society’s professional networking site. ASCO memberscan comment on articles by signing in with an ASCO.org username and password.

Special Events during the 2012 Annual Meeting

Learn about the Conquer CancerFoundation's (CCF's) for information onAnnual Meeting eventsand programs, including theDonor Lounge and ePassportProgram.

EHR Lab. ASCO is excited to host the sixth annual Electronic Health Records (EHRs) Vendor Lab this year (asco.org/ehrlab). Designed to help cancer care providers select an EHR, the Lab allows attendees to compare multiple vendors against a set of common criteria. All vendors at the event have demonstrated oncology-specific functionality, such as the ability to provide chemotherapy ordering, in their products. The Lab will be located in the Technology and Practice Management section of the Oncology Professionals Hall (Booth #5004), June 2–4, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM.

2012 Oncology Career Fair. Visit the Oncology Professionals Hall, June 2–3, for the 12th Annual Oncology Career Fair, a convenient way for attendees to learn more about employment opportunities available in oncology. The Career Opportunities and Other Medical Meetings posting boards, located adjacent to the Career Fair, provide organizations with the opportunity to share information about job openings or other medical meetings held throughout the year.

Members: Attend the Annual Business Meeting. ASCO members are invited to attend the 2012 Annual Business Meeting on Monday, June 4, 12:00 PM–1:00 PM, in the Regency Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. The Annual Business Meeting will include the CEO’s report on the Society, the Treasurer’s report on the financial state of the Society, and the opportunity to meet newly elected ASCO officers.

There is no registration fee to attend the Annual Business Meeting; members who register online to attend will receive a complimentary boxed lunch (chicago2012. asco.org).

New this year: Industry Expert Theater. New to the Oncology Professionals Hall this year, the Industry Expert Theater brings together industry leaders and attendees interested in the latest drug development research. These one-hour informational presentations will take place in classroom-style theaters. Presentations are not certified for Continuing Medical Education credit. Refreshments will be provided by ASCO.

The following presentations will be offered at the Industry Expert Theater:

  • “Bone Metastases and Skeletal-related Events,” sponsored by Amgen
  • “Overview of Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatments,” sponsored by Genentech
  • “The Fourth Cancer Treatment Modality: Going Beyond Pharmacology with Tumor Treating (TTFields),” sponsored by NovoCure

Onsite Tools and Services


New this year: Search posters on Interactive Locator Maps. Are you having a difficult time locating a session or a colleague’s poster? Find your way and explore the Annual Meeting on the interactive locator maps installed throughout McCormick Place. These 42" LCD screens use interactive, real-time touch technology to locate session rooms, posters (new for 2012), exhibitors, and dining options relative to your location.

Posters are searchable by abstract number or the first author’s name. If you don’t need the directions until later, send them by email to access on your phone or tablet. If you require additional assistance, visit any of the Information Desks located throughout McCormick Place or stop by the Poster Assistance Desk at the front of the General Posters in the Oncology Professionals Hall.

ASCO Central Booth. Visit ASCO Central (Booth #7004) in the Oncology Professionals Hall to learn more about ASCO Connection and ASCOconnection.org, ASCO University®, the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®), clinical practice guidelines, member benefits, mobile apps, Cancer.Net patient resources, and other ASCO publications, products, and services.

Digital session signs. For the second year, digital signs outside of each session room will give attendees a snapshot of what’s going on inside in real time, delivering the most up-to-date and accurate session information available. The LCD screens will reflect any last-minute changes to the session agenda, and display the current and upcoming speakers to allow attendees to tailor the Meeting to their needs and interests.

Email feedback about onsite issues. If you encounter any problems, send an email to AMHelp@asco.org to bring the issue to the attention of ASCO staff onsite. With your feedback, staff can work to fix problems quickly. To provide inperson feedback or request assistance, speak to any ASCO staff onsite (look for the blue “Staff” ribbon) or visit any of the Information Desks.

Free WiFi. Free Wi-Fi Internet access is available throughout the convention center. As more than 30,000 people come to McCormick Place to attend the Meeting, ASCO asks that attendees kindly utilize the free Wi-Fi for email and internet browsing only, and save large downloads for wired connections. ASCO continues to offer a Laptop Station on Level 2.5 of the convention center, where wall outlets, power supplies, and technical assistance will be available.

Healthy dining options. New dining options will be available for attendees. Savor, McCormick Place’s caterer, is committed to using local and sustainable ingredients (such as serving Wisconsin cheese, Michigan apples, and Illinois corn) and utilizing herbs from McCormick Place’s rooftop garden. Attendees will find healthconscious offerings at grab-and-go carts and concession locations. ASCO will provide a dining guide with all food options available at McCormick Place.

Networking Cafes. Networking Cafes will be located throughout McCormick Place for colleagues to meet and discuss the exciting science and education taking place at the Meeting. Look for clusters of round tables near concession areas to take a break from your busy schedule, catch up with colleagues, grow your circleof professional contacts, and enhance your Annual Meeting experience.

Honor Distinguished Scientists, Clinicians, Partners, Volunteers


Special Awards. ASCO confers 11 Special Awards (asco.org/specialawards) to recognize researchers, patient advocates, and leaders of the global oncology community who, through their work in the fields of clinical oncology, cancer research, or public and government advocacy, have made significant contributions to enhancing cancer care.

David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award and Lecture | Kanti R. Rai, MB, BS
Dr. Rai is Chief of the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Research and Treatment Program at North Shore-Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Health System and the Joel Finkelstein Cancer Foundation Professor of Medicine at Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, where he also holds the title Professor of Molecular Medicine. He is internationally recognized for his expertise in the treatment of leukemia in adults. An investigator with the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Dr. Rai is known for establishing the Rai clinical staging system for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), which is based on an analysis of how the body is affected by abnormal lymphocytes. He has served on the ASCO Clinical Practice Committee.

Science of Oncology Award and Lecture | Rakesh K. Jain, PhD
Dr. Jain is the A. W. Cook Professor of Radiation Oncology (Tumor Biology) at Harvard Medical School and Director of E. L. Steele Laboratory of Tumor Biology at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. By combining his extensive expertise and experience in engineering, mathematics, tumor biology, and physiology, Dr. Jain has created a novel approach to cancer research that is not only innovative but also virtually unique in the world. He has developed an array of cutting-edge imaging technologies as well as sophisticated animal and mathematical models, and exploited them in extraordinarily elegant ways. This undertaking has provided unprecedented molecular, cellular, anatomical, and functional insights into tumor barriers and how to overcome them. Dr. Jain has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

ASCO-American Cancer Society Award and Lecture | Rowan T. Chlebowski, MD, PhD
Dr. Chlebowski is Chief of Medical Oncology and Hematology at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and conducts research at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. He has been involved in full-scale clinical trials addressing issues related to breast cancer prevention and therapy and women’s health. He reported results of the Women’s Intervention Nutrition Study (WIINS), a multicenter adjuvant trial where a lifestyle intervention reduced breast cancer recurrence. As a Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) investigator, he led reports on estrogen alone and estrogen plus progestin influence on cancer endpoints where findings have substantially changed clinical use of menopausal hormone therapy worldwide with associated reduction in breast cancer incidence. Dr. Chlebowski has been Chair of the ASCO Cancer Prevention Committee, has led the ASCO Breast Cancer Chemoprevention Guideline, and participated in the ASCO Aromatase Inhibitor Technology Assessment and the ASCO Breast Cancer Bisphosphonate and Bone Health Guideline.

Gianni Bonadonna Breast Cancer Award and Lecture | Monica Morrow, MD, FACS
Dr. Morrow is Chief of the Breast Surgery Service, Co-Chief of the Breast Program, and Anne Burnett Windfohr Chair of Clinical Oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. She is also Professor of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College. Her clinical interests include the application of advances from clinical trials to daily surgical practice, the evaluation of new technology related to local therapy of breast cancer, and understanding how patients make breast cancer treatment decisions. Dr. Morrow serves as Editor-in-Chief of ASCO Daily News, has served on the ASCO Board of Directors, and is a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

B. J. Kennedy Award and Lecture for Scientific Excellence in Geriatric Oncology | Matti S. Aapro, MD
Dr. Aapro has been involved in the design and implementation of clinical trials in older patients since the late 1980s. He is currently Dean of the Multidisciplinary Oncology Institute in Genolier, Switzerland, and Executive Director of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG). Dr. Aapro serves on the Journal of Geriatric Oncology and has edited several journals focused on the care of older patients with cancer. He has also been a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Pediatric Oncology Award and Lecture | Ching-Hon Pui, MD
Dr. Pui is Chair of the Department of Oncology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, co-leader of the hospital’s Hematological Malignancies Program, Medical Director of the St. Jude International Outreach China Program, and holder of the Fahad Nassar Al-Rashid Chair of Leukemia Research. For nearly 20 years, Dr. Pui has been a leader in the molecular definitions of childhood leukemia and of developing clinical protocols based on those findings. Most notably, the personalized therapy introduced as a result of his research on acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) helped to boost ALL cure rates at St. Jude to 90%. This personalized therapy omits cranial irradiation altogether, sparing patients from the devastating side effects of that treatment. Dr. Pui has served on ASCO’s Scientific Program Committee.

Distinguished Achievement Award | Robert F. Ozols, MD, PhD
Dr. Ozols is an internationally known expert in ovarian cancer and a leader in advancing chemotherapy research. He was the first Audrey Weg Schaus and Geoffrey Alan Weg Chair in Medical Science at Fox Chase Cancer Center and also served as Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Fox Chase Cancer Center until his retirement in 2008, following two decades of service at the institution. Prior his tenure at Fox Chase, Dr. Ozols was head of the Experimental Therapeutics Section of the Medicine Branch, National Cancer Institute. His research has focused on how cancer cells develop drug resistance and on strategies for overcoming resistance. He has developed new clinical approaches to treating women with ovarian cancer, including chemotherapy regimens that combine paclitaxel and carboplatin, as well as pharmacologic techniques to reverse resistance of tumors to anticancer drugs. Dr. Ozols has chaired ASCO’s Cancer Research Committee and Cancer Communications Committee and was a member of the Board of Directors; he is a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Public Service Award | Nancy G. Brinker
Ms. Brinker, the founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, is regarded as the leader of the global breast cancer movement. Today, the organization has invested more than $1.9 billion in breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment. In 1983, she founded the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, which is now the world’s largest and most successful education and fundraising event for breast cancer. She also pioneered cause-related marketing, allowing millions to participate in the fight against breast cancer through businesses that share Komen’s commitment to end the disease forever. Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s advocacy for breast cancer survivors led to new legislation and greater government research funding. In 2009, President Barack Obama honored Ms. Brinker with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. That same year, she was named Goodwill Ambassador for Cancer Control for the United Nations’ World Health Organization.

Partners in Progress Award | Marlo Thomas
Ms. Thomas is an award-winning actress, author, and activist. She has been honored with four Emmy Awards, the Peabody, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy, and has been inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame. She conceived, produced, and starred in television’s That Girl. Her pioneering spirit continued with her creation of Free to Be...You and Me, which became a platinum album, bestselling book, and an Emmy Award-winning television special. Ms. Thomas is the National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the driving force behind countless public awareness efforts to educate the public about the life-saving work being done there.

Special Recognition Award | David Satcher, MD, PhD
Dr. Satcher is Director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine. He served as the 16th Surgeon General of the United States. Dr. Satcher served simultaneously in the positions of Surgeon General and Assistant Secretary for Health from February 1998 through January 2001 and held the posts of Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry from 1993 to 1998. Dr. Satcher has an established record of leadership, research, and community engagement in many areas of health policy, including childhood obesity and disparities in health. As Director of the CDC, he led the national effort to expand breast and cervical cancer screening programs from 18 states to all 50 states, six territories, and 15 American Indian reservations. As Surgeon General, he released the first-ever Surgeon General’s reports on mental health, suicide prevention, oral health, sexual health, and obesity.

Humanitarian Award | Edith Peterson Mitchell, MD
Dr. Mitchell is a Clinical Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Medical Oncology, as well as Program Leader of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. She is also Associate Director for Diversity Programs for the Kimmel Cancer Center (KCC) at Jefferson and Director of the KCC Center to Eliminate Cancer Disparities. Dr. Mitchell has spent her medical career helping individuals in medically underserved areas to realize that simple changes in lifestyle can have a dramatic impact on cancer care. Through her work, Dr. Mitchell has demonstrated the importance of community service and outreach, especially to those individuals who may not have the means to seek out more conventional medical advice. She has served on ASCO’s Cancer Education Committee and Test Materials Development Committee.

New this year: Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Formerly called the ASCO Statesman Award, the Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO) distinction recognizes ASCO members for their extraordinary volunteer service, dedication, and commitment to the Society. Their efforts benefit ASCO, the specialty of oncology, and, most importantly, the patients they serve. Eleven members will be honored during the Opening Session:

  • Harold J. Burstein, MD, PhD
  • Nora Anita Janjan, MD, MPSA, MBA, FACP, FACR
  • Bruce E. Johnson, MD
  • Karen Kelly, MD
  • David Khayat, MD, PhD
  • Barnett S. Kramer, MD, MPH
  • Mark N. Levine, MD
  • Thomas A. Marsland, MD
  • William C. Penley, MD
  • Richard L. Schilsky, MD
  • Deborah Schrag, MD, MPH

Exclusive Annual Meeting Benefits for ASCO Members


As the ASCO Annual Meeting approaches, members should be sure to take advantage of the special Meeting-related benefits they receive. Learn more about the benefits you receive as part of your ASCO membership at benefits.asco.org.

Visit a Member Services area for any questions about eligibility and the applicatioin process. Medical students, residents, and early-career oncologists may be eligible for free or discounted member dues—visit the Trainees and Junior Faculty Member Lounge at the Annual Meeting to learn more.

Discounts and Advance Access
ASCO members who want to see the latest results of their colleagues’ exciting research save an average of 50% on the nonmember registration rate for the ASCO Annual Meeting (and co-sponsored symposia) and have advance access to registration, ticketed sessions, and the most sought-after Chicago hotel accommodations. Members who register in advance have first choice of tickets to the Meet the Professor and Clinical Problems in Oncology sessions, which frequently sell out.

Members also receive significant discounts of 20% to 50% on related educational products such as ASCO University® modules that can be applied to Continuing Medical Education or Maintenance of Certification (including modules based on the state-of-the-art science presented at ASCO meetings). Visit any ASCO University Bookstore location while onsite at the Meeting or online at store.asco.org to receive discounts on the Society’s complement of educational products and publications.

Members in Training and Student/Non-Oncology Resident members receive exclusiveaccess to the Trainees and Junior Faculty Member Lounge, which is openthroughout the Meeting and offers Internet access, refreshments, and a place torelax and network. Special sessions on topics such as navigating the Annual Meeting,mentoring, manuscript writing, and time management may be offered.
 

Read the March Online Issue for Coverage of the:

  • Education Program, including an interview with Harold J. Burstein, MD, PhD
  • Core Sessions
  • Meet the Professor Sessions
  • Clinical Problems in Oncology Sessions
  • eQ&A Sessions
  • Joint Sessions
  • Pre-Annual Meeting Seminars— There’s still time to sign up for the New Drugs in Oncology Seminar and the Clinical Care in Oncology for the Advanced Practice Provider Seminar

Research Benefits
The Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO offers a diverse portfolio of grants andawards, available exclusively to ASCO members, including:

  • Young Investigator Award—one-year, $50,000 grant for oncologists in their last two years of final subspecialty training
  • Career Development Award—three-year, $200,000 grant for oncologists in their first through third years of a full-time faculty appointment
  • Long-term International Fellowship—one-year, $115,000 fellowship for an earlycareer physician from a low- or middle-income country
  • Advanced Clinical Research Award—three-year, $450,000 grant for oncologists in their fourth through ninth years of a full-time faculty appointment
  • Improving Cancer Care Grant—three-year, $1.35 million grant for a proven investigator
  • Research Professorship—$500,000 grant for a full professor (or equivalent) who is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of researchers

Clinical scientists and translational researchers who are members of ASCO can sponsor their own abstracts for presentation at the ASCO Annual Meeting; nonmembers must find a Full Member to sponsor their abstracts, spending time and effort that could otherwise be devoted to research. Fellows and junior faculty who serve as first authors on abstracts submitted for presentation at the ASCO Annual Meeting and co-sponsored symposia are invited to apply for Merit Awards at the time of their submission.

Full Members receive free print and online access to ASCO’s flagship research publication, the Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO), as well as other ASCO publications such as the Journal of Oncology Practice, ASCO Connection, and The ASCO Post, while other membership categories receive significant discounts on these ASCO journals and publications.

—By Virginia Anderson, Senior Writer/Editor


The Life of an Abstract

How does an abstract come to be presented at the Plenary Session?

An investigator submits the abstract by the February 1 deadline and selects the most relevant topic category of the 24 tracks.

The abstract is reviewed by member volunteers from the Scientific Program Committee specializing in the particular disease site or subject area. Each track consists of five to 12 members.

The abstract is scored and graded by individual reviewers over a two-week period. Scores are based on the abstract’s scientific merit, the likelihood of its interest to oncology professionals, and the novelty of the information, among other factors. Scores are saved in a database to be shared with other reviewers.

Track members meet to discuss the abstract’s scores, which are presented in a blind review to preserve the impartiality of the reviewers. The abstract receives a high score from all reviewers and is recommended for presentation at the Annual Meeting. Track members begin to build a program of sessions in their track using the ASCO-designed session building website and think about experts who might serve as potential discussants in the sessions.

The entire Scientific Program Committee meets March 14–15 at ASCO Headquarters. The abstract, along with nine to 14 of the other highest-rated abstracts, is discussed as a possible contender for the Plenary Session; the track leader and other members are invited to make a case for why the abstract is considered practice-changing and of interest to the ASCO Annual Meeting audience. The Scientific Program Committee decides that the abstract is among the top four with the most significant and immediate impacts on clinical practice, and will be presented in the single, non-competing Plenary Session.

The abstract author is notified about its selection, and a discussant is invited to discuss the abstract while putting it into clinical context, during the final week of March. The authors and discussant have April and May to prepare and practice their presentations.

The abstract is presented for the first time on June 3 as part of the 2012 Plenary Session, before an audience of more than 15,000 oncology professionals.


Smart Meeting, Smart Products, Smart Choices

Get the most—the most science, education, and networking— out of ASCO’s suite of products, delivered in the format you want through the device of your choice.

Annual Meeting Website
Visit chicago2012.asco.org for the latestAnnual Meeting information and linksto registration and housing, abstracts,sessions, faculty, news, and more.

Plan ahead with ePlannerand iPlanner
The ePlanner and iPlanner (electronicversions of the Meeting Program) canhelp you plan your itinerary and adjustyour schedule for last-minute changes.

ePlanner
Build your conference itinerary on your computer with ePlanner, a scheduling tool that allows you to search for presentations and add them to your personal calendar. New this year:

  • Evaluate sessions
  • Make your schedule public
  • View other publicly available schedules
  • Use Program at a Glance to print pre-made programs by specialty

iPlanner
iPlanner is the mobile version of the ePlanner. The iPlanner and ePlanner are synced so that itinerary changes made online will automatically update to the mobile version and vice versa. Get the most—the most science, education, and networking— out of ASCO’s suite of products, delivered in the format you want through the device of your choice.

Use the iPlanner mobile app to:

  • Keep your schedule up-to-date
  • Take notes and email them
  • View abstracts
  • Find related articles
  • Check ASCO’s Twitter feed

The iPlanner also includes the shuttle bus schedule, complete exhibitor directory, list of all the restaurants in the convention center, and maps of the building. Simply tap on the compass icon to see a pin drop on the floor plan to show you where the session is located and how to get there. Use the Sessions Near Me function to find other sessions nearby. Currently, the iPlanner is available for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Android devices. Blackberry users can access the mobile-friendly site asco.org/bbplanner.

eTote—Educational Book and Proceedings Part I
The eTote is a USB containing the Annual Meeting Proceedings Part I, the Educational Book, a quick reference to the Meeting Program, and links to all ASCO apps and the Attendee Resource Center. The eTote will be given to all meeting attendees with their registration materials. Or, skip the lines altogether and download the materials from the eTote through the Attendee Resource Center. A convenience package of these publications in print can be purchased for $15, either onsite or online prior to the Meeting, for pick-up onsite. See information on delivery of Newly Released Abstracts.

More than 8,000 2011 Annual Meeting attendees downloaded the iPlanner, the Annual Meeting program mobile app for Apple and Android devices.

Virtual Meeting, Mobile Meeting,and iMeeting
Virtual Meeting and its mobile-friendlyversion, Mobile Meeting, have beencombined into one product calledVirtual Meeting, which is included inyour Annual Meeting registration. Nowyou can access the captured contenton any device. You can view capturedAnnual Meeting presentations in threeways:

  1. Computer. View presentations via streaming video. Presentations are searchable by title, author, or track.
  2. Podcast. Download your selected presentations to your handheld device. Pick and choose the presentations that you want to view at your convenience.
  3. iMeeting. Free app for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch to access Meeting presentations by track; viewable by streaming video. While the app is free, a subscription to Virtual Meeting is required to see full content (this subscription is included in Annual Meeting registration; if you are not attending, you can purchase a subscription to Virtual Meeting).

Android users and other smartphone users can access the mobile-friendly site imeeting.asco.org.

Virtual Meeting also provides access to podcasts that can be downloaded and accessed later without requiring a permanent connection to the Internet. Use iTunes or your player of choice to create playlists, tailor content for teaching, or share with colleagues. Through Virtual Meeting, content is now accessible on any device that supports Silverlight, Flash, mp3, or mp4 files. ASCO strongly encourages everyone to update their operating system, browsers of choice, and apps in order to get the latest features.

ASCO Interactive Meeting (AIM)
The ASCO Interactive Meeting (AIM) resource will be launched as a prerelease concept service in 2012. Meeting attendees are invited to try out this highly interactive resource, accessible from any mobile device via the AIM link in the iPlanner app. While onsite, attendees can use the record button next to a presentation to add a Virtual Meeting clip to their personal video queue. Attendees can also use AIM to email information about the session, share information on social media, submit session evaluations, and request CME credit.

Slide Library
Access visuals and graphics from select ASCO Annual Meeting presentations with the ASCO University® Slide Library (university.asco.org/slides). Slides may be downloaded individually or as part of a presentation set. The Slide Library also contains a collection of high-resolution images and medical illustrations from the Journal of Clinical Oncology and the ASCO Curriculum Series. Presenters volunteer to upload their slides; 67% of Meeting slides were made available in 2011.


Attendee ResourceCenter

Rapid access to AnnualMeeting information andmaterials

As the gateway to Annual Meeting online resources,the Attendee Resource Center (ARC) features amobile-friendly format, accessed via chicago2012.asco.org/attendee. You can log in to the ARC with your badgeID number or your member username and password.The steps in the reference guide below walk you throughthe ARC’s main functions.

  1. Plan Your Meeting
    Prior to arriving in Chicago, visit the ARC to plan your Meeting using the ePlanner and to review abstracts and Educational Book articles.
     
  2. Print-Friendly Downloads
    If you are still deciding what sessions to attend, consult one of the Express Programs by day or by track. You can also download and print abstracts organized by track, download slides from Oncology Slide Library, or preview the eTote content before receiving the USB drive at the Meeting. Better yet, skip the eTote lines altogether and download eTote content prior to arriving.
     
  3. At the Meeting
    During the Meeting, access the ARC to find the shuttle schedule, locate an exhibitor, read instructions for eQ&A sessions, or submit CME or MOC requests. Check out ASCO Daily News online to read editorials and receive up-todate Meeting coverage. Missed a session or want to review one you attended? Use the ARC to quickly access Virtual Meeting videos and podcasts.
     
  4. Mobile Applications
    Prepare your mobile devices for the Annual Meeting by selecting links to ASCO mobile apps and sites. Downloading apps in advance is a great way to explore the Meeting.
     
  5. Post Meeting
    Return to the ARC after the Meeting to request Certificates of Attendance, submit CME and MOC requests, and access ASCO University modules.

The How & Why of Twitter

Robert S. Miller, MD, FACP, Oncology Medical Information Officer at The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, is an avid Twitter user with more than 1,600 followers. He is also 2011–2014 Chair-Elect of ASCO’s Integrated Media and Technology Committee, a columnist on ASCOconnection.org, and co-author of the upcoming Journal of Oncology Practice article, “Trends in Twitter Usage by Physicians at the ASCO Annual Meeting 2010–2011.” You can follow him on Twitter at @rsm2800.

AC: Why do you think it’s important for oncology professionals to become familiar with social media channels?
Dr. Miller: Medical schools, hospitals, and individual practices are increasingly using social media to share information with patients, the public, and other health care professionals. It is really not something we can ignore or assume is only a niche interest. More importantly, our patients have long been using social media to gather health information and to connect with each other, and they expect oncology professionals to be a part of that dialogue. While it is easy to focus on social media risks and pitfalls, oncology professionals have a great opportunity to engage more with patients using social tools and to contribute authoritative content, both original and curated.

AC: For physicians new to social media, what’s the best way to start participating?
Dr. Miller: Start as a lurker, passively viewing content before attempting to create it. Follow and read blogs from a variety of sources and consider joining the discussion by commenting. Listen to podcasts during your commute. Twitter is even easier. Open a free account, choose a Twitter name, write a brief bio, and start following those who share your interests. When comfortable, start tweeting links to interesting articles. You will be amazed how quickly people find you.

AC: What do you like about Twitter?
Dr. Miller: I like Twitter because it’s fast, fluid, and accessible. It really is a form of “microblogging,” but the posts are only 140 characters and can be created on your smartphone. I use Twitter as an outbound source of information, meaning that I share links to things I’ve read on the Web, usually in the areas of breast oncology or health IT/informatics. I think some people who don’t “get” Twitter still think it’s used primarily for sharing mundane activities, like what you had for lunch. Nothing could be further from the truth, and people who tweet about their tuna sandwich don’t end up with a lot of followers. Twitter is also a great source of inbound information. I follow about 400 people and organizations, and I have come to rely on the daily stream of information to keep me up-to-date on stories, articles, abstracts, and reports that I wouldn’t otherwise have seen, or at least not seen as quickly had I relied on traditional media.

Follow Annual Meeting–related Updates and Commentary on Twitter
Follow @ASCO on Twitter for full information on ASCO; use hashtag #ASCO12 for real-time updates. To learn more about Twitter, attend:

  • “#ASCO12 Tweetup,” on Saturday, June 2, 3:00 PM–4:00 PM in Room N228
  • Using Social Media in Oncology for Education and Patient Engagement (eQ&A), featuring Anas Younes, MD; Robert S. Miller, MD, FACP; Michael Thompson, MD, PhD; Monday, June 4, 1:15 PM–2:30 PM in Room E353
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